Hydroxylation of various molecules including heterocyclic aromatics using recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing modified biphenyl dioxygenase genes

Various molecules, in which heterocyclic aromatics are linked with phenyl or benzyl groups, were converted to their corresponding cis-dihydrodiols by recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing modified biphenyl dioxygenase genes. Heterocyclic aromatic compounds with substituted phenyl or aliphatic moieties were also biotransformed to the hydroxylated products by the cells. Many of the converted products were novel compounds. These compounds are potentially useful as versatile starting materials for the chemical synthesis of pharmaceuticals and biologically active organic molecules.